DENVER - Senior guard Gabby Giuffre led Nevada women's basketball with her first career double-double and the Pack opened the Denver Classic with a 73-62 win over South Alabama Friday afternoon. 

Giuffre, whose first three career starts came in Nevada's last three games, finished with career-highs of 15 points and 10 rebounds while going 4-for-5 from 3-point range. Senior forward Lexie Givens finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Junior guard Audrey Roden scored in double digits for the fourth time this year, coming up with 10 points to go with a pair of steals. 

South Alabama took its first and only lead of the game with a 3-pointer 39 seconds into the first quarter, but Nevada went on an 11-0 scoring run capped off by a basket while drawing the foul from redshirt sophomore Natalie Lathrop. A late layup from South Alabama allowed the Jaguars to cut Nevada's lead to six before a buzzer beater putback from sophomore forward Kennedy Lee put the Pack back ahead by eight. 

A 3-pointer from Giuffre allowed Nevada to open the second quarter on a 7-0 scoring run. South Alabama capitalized off a steal following a free throw by knocking down a 3-pointer, following that up with another 3-pointer and free throw to make it a five-point game. Senior guard Tiffany Siu managed to keep Nevada's lead at bay with back-to-back jumpers that allowed the Pack to go into the locker room ahead by nine. 

Jumpers from fifth year guard Claire Jacobs and Roden allowed Nevada to open the quarter with a double-digit advantage. South Alabama, however, used three free throws and a fastbreak layup to cut Nevada's lead back down to single digits heading into the fourth quarter. 

After a back-and-forth battle that kept Nevada's lead in single digits, a jumper from Givens and a 3-pointer off a fastbreak by Giuffre allowed Nevada to go ahead by 11 with under three minutes to play. South Alabama hit a couple of baskets in an attempt to go on a late run, but Nevada hit five of its final six free throws to secure its first win in Denver. 

Nevada wraps up the Denver Classic Saturday against Central Arkansas at 10 a.m.

Postgame Notes 

• Senior guard Gabby Giuffre collected her first career double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Giuffre, whose first three career starts came in Nevada's last three games, finished with career-highs in points and rebounds. 
• Nevada, who is fifth in the nation in steals, recorded its fourth game with 13 steals or more this season with 13 on Friday. 
• Nevada shot a season-best 46.4% from the field, having the lead for all but three minutes in Friday's game. 
• The Pack had its second straight game with seven 3-pointers and shot a season-best 50% from beyond the arc. 
• Friday marked the first meeting between Nevada and South Alabama in women's basketball. 

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets for Nevada women's basketball start at just $65. Season tickets for youth (8th grade and under) start at just $25 while the Family Four Pack (two adults, two youth) are $37.50 per person. Students receive free admission with their Wolf Card. Season Tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 775-348-PACK. 

Click here to purchase mini plans (any five games starting at just $25) and single game tickets (starting at $5 for youth and $7 for adults).

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